Studio Sunday: 10 Things I’m Enjoying (no. 3)

Happy Sunday! It was my children’s fist week back to school and I crammed the week with productivity while simultaneously grieving the loss of my twinkling Christmas tree. Here’s what I learned and loved this week.

I tried it (twice!). The first time my girls were at school. It has a low barrier of entry, is easy and the mess wasn’t too bad. I used this paint set. The second time I tried it with my seven-year-old (applause is appropriate) and we had the best time.

On the second attempt I noticed that while it’s true this craft is something most people could execute with some level of rookie success, there is also a lot of room to grow. I couldn’t figure out how to make flowers yet. The next step will be to make my own colors (It’s just watered down acrylic paint. Easy, but requires effort). I’d also love to be able to do bigger sheets of paper. I will definitely be back for more!

I love a personality test! I’m an Enneagram 7 and an INFJ and this week I took The Values Bridge test. It was illuminating. My top values were Workcentrism (the act of working makes me feel like myself), Achievement (fueled by the pursuit of excellence), Beholderism (an aesthete, yearning to be immersed in art and beauty) and Scope (I want to try everything life has to offer).

It’s validating to acknowledge these values as a part of who I am, instead of a way you should or shouldn’t be. I begged my husband to take the test and he came out with the same top two values, which shed so much light on why we are compatible (and often insufferable in our love of work).

I recommend taking the test if you’re curious. It doesn’t cost anything, but you do have to put in your email at the end to see your results (jut FYI).

This week as I tried to savor my workday autonomy, I noticed I was panicking a bit about how I used my hours and judging myself for time wasted. So, this week I’m reflecting on the little things that make life richer and fuller. Taking a walk after lunch, fresh flowers, visiting a local shop or reading a chapter. I struggle to enjoy things in small doses, but sometimes small doses are all we have.

Yesterday Jeremy and I each took a kid and sat with them in their bedrooms to try on all their clothing. Now we’ve got a hallway full of donation bags and so much extra closet space. I want to keep this going. It’s a great feeling. This week I’ll work on organizing my kitchen and unpacking boxes from the basement. As I go, I’ll set aside things to donate. It still feels like a far off dream to have the whole house organized all at once, but I love inching toward the goal.

If you want to go in the opposite direction, these winter months are the best time to thrift shop of the whole year because everyone is cleaning out their closets.

I’m wearing this red bonnet everywhere and it makes me so happy. Sea foam green is my favorite color, but I think red is my power color.

I rented a painting studio for the past year and a half. It’s a classroom in a former elementary school building. I loved my time there, but found that I am better off working at home. Now that our renovation is complete I am moving my painting stuff back home this month. I’m a little sad to leave the space, but really excited to have 24/7 quick access to my painting supplies. I love painting for an hour before bed. I’m curious if I’ll be more prolific this year (betting on it).

I’m definitely going to try making these embossed matchbooks as gifts. They are beautiful and it looks like fun.

As the world’s biggest fan of the original 2019 Knives Out, I was excited to see the new film. I would rate it as my second favorite Knives Out film (the first one is untouchable—it might be perfect). I really enjoyed the new movie and hope there are more to come.

This week I took a writing course which was filled with people my parent’s age and older. It was absolutely the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. I was so inspired.

I just started The Emotional Craft of Fiction and I’m excited to get into it. The author is a literary agent who wrote my favorite craft book, so I was excited to discover he has more books.

How the #%$* am I going to wait until September for this book. I’m so fixated on it. It sounds incredible. If you have a 2026 release you are so excited about, I’d love to hear it.

Thank you to everyone who sent over book recommendations for Emma’s book advent birthday gift. I got so many responses, I am still opening them. You’re the best!

And thank you for reading my newsletter, The Lost Arts. I’m looking forward to writing it this year. If you’re considering upgrading to a paid subscription, you can do this at any time. View the archives page to see a sampling of the paid content.

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